Patent GB-349573-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for the arithmetical interpretation of perforated cards
IPC: G06F7/46
Filed: 1930-02-24
Abstract: 349,573. Statistical machines. TAUSCHEK, G., 1, Meinhartsdorfergasse, Vienna. Feb. 24, 1930, No. 6069. Convention date, March 16, 1929. [Class 106 (i).] Multiplying and dividing.-In a record-card, or like, controlled machine for performing various calculations (e.g. the first four rules), the change over from one kind of calculation to another, or the selection of a particular kind of calculation, is controlled by perforations in the normal field of the card, or by a blank card. The apparatus described is for changing over from division to addition. Division is effected by setting up the dividend, and then successively subtracting the set-up divisor, the machine overstepping the subtraction at each denomination in turn and automatically making the remainder positive by adding in the divisor before proceeding to the next lower denomination. The card, perforated for example for the factors 367À24 divided by 166, is fed by rollers 2 to a conducting surface 3 until the card separates a feeler 4 from this surface. This interrupts the circuit of a magnet 5, the released armature 6 closing a circuit through contacts 7, 42 to a magnet 8, which latter uncouples rollers 2 from an eccentric 9 and brings the card to rest. Feelers 101, 10<11> on yoke 10 commence to oscillate and in their forward movement are raised by an elastic support 11. As the rearward stroke commences this support allows the yoke to drop so that feelers 10<1>, 10<11> read the card. Feelers 101 for the dividend (367À24) and 10<11> for the divisor (166) are electrically connected as shown to bars 12, 13, 14, the latter having lines 15 to the counting wheels 161. Bar 13 is fixed, but 12, 14 are movable. The contacts 121, 12<11> of bar 12 can only be connected alternately to the contacts of bar 13. In the position shown 121 are connected for the dividend. When the feelers 10<1> read the card, they energize the corresponding magnets 16 according to the number of holes in each column so that pawls 17 step-on the wheels 16<1> through ratchets 18. This sets up the dividend on the counter. Just before the rearward, or reading, stroke is ended a lug 19 on yoke 10 meets a stop 20, closing contacts 21 for a circuit 22, 23, 24. Magnet 22 by a known device, not shown, operates a rod 25 which disengages pawls 17 and engages pawls 26 with ratchets 18 for actuation in the opposite direction. Magnet 23 displaces bar 12 so that divisor feelers 10<11> are connected to bar 13 ; bar 12 is held by pawl 27. These feelers 10<11> are thus connected to lines 15 and wheels 16<1>, and also by contact 28, contacts 14<11> and a line 29 to the highest denomination of the quotient wheels. At the next reading oscillation the divisor (166) is subtracted from wheels 16<1> by pawls 26. This is repeated until overstepping occurs, i.e. in the highest denomination of 16<1> the wheel passes through 0 to 9. The tens-transfer pawl 30 of this wheel thereupon falls into notch 31, and, as described in Specification 289,055, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.], releases a lever 33 which then contacts with a plate 32. This energizes a magnet 34 through contact 35 to displace pawl 36 behind a tooth of bar 14. At the next reading oscillation magnet 22 is unenergized, since contacts 24 are open, and rod 25 returns to adding position for wheels 16<1>. The divisor is then added to wheels 16<1> automatically. Pawl 30 again enters notch 31 and a circuit is now closed through magnet 37 and contact 38. Pawl 36 is thereby moved to the left to feed bar 14 one tooth and contact 28 is now connected to the next line 29 for the next lower denomination of the quotient wheels. At each oscillation of the feeler yoke 10, lug 19 and stop 20 close contacts 21 to send an impulse through a line to contact 28 and to the quotient wheel connected therewith. When the division is completed, at the next stroke of pawl 36, a lug 39 on bar 14 closes contacts 40 to magnet 41. This opens contacts 42 and de-energizes magnet 8. Rollers 2 are thereby recoupled and the card fed forward; feeler 4 again meets surface 3, and magnet 5 is energized, lifting pawls 27, 36 so that the bars 12, 14 return to initial positions. Alternate division and addition.-The batch of cards consists of two groups of cards (one group for division and the other for addition) mixed indiscriminately. Division cards are punched " 2 " in a certain column, within the usual field, and addition cards are punched " 3 " in this column. Two feelers 43, 44 read this column of successive cards 1, 1a, simultaneously. These feelers are on an arm 45 of yoke 10 and are connected to equal and opposite windings on a magnet 47. Whilst succeeding cards agree the impulses cancel one another but if succeeding cards change from division to addition, or vice versa, magnet 47 is energized, armature 48 is attracted (and locked by hook 57) and a pawl 49 feeds a switch 50 through 90‹, breaking contacts 51, 52. This de-energizes magnet 53 and armature 54 releases a pawl 55 so that the latter lies against a hook 56 which is connected to pawl 36 so that the latter can move freely, horizontally; but vertically, carries 56 with it. When the interpretation of the card under brushes 10<1>, 10<11> is completed rollers 2 are driven again, feeler 4 meets plate 3, and magnet 5 is energized, raising pawl 36 and hook 56 so that under the action of spring 58, pawl 55 slides under hook 56. When armature of magnet 8 is released, a pawl 60 on a connecting-rod 59 frees hook 57 and armature 48 returns. When the next card 1a separates feeler 4 and plate 3, magnet 5 is de-energized but pawl 55 and hook 56 prevent the lowering of pawl 36 to its full extent. Contacts 7 remain open, but contacts on members 55, 56 close (Fig. 2), thus energizing a magnet 61 which couples a cam disc 62 to the main shaft. This disc, by lever 63, presses the feelers 10<1>, 10<11> against the card so that magnets 16 are energized. At the end of the reading the cam 62 releases the feelers. The feelers 43, 44 thus control the change-over from division to addition. If the next card is the same as the one just read, magnet 47 is not energized and the machine continues to add. If the card differs, 47 again closes contacts 51, 52, and magnet 53 is energized. This tends to attract armature 54 but this can only take place after the card under the feelers 10<1>, 10<11> has been read, since then magnet 5 is energized (by feeler 4) to raise pawl 36 and hook 56. The machine then returns to division. The cards may be read and the counters actuated electrically, mechanically, or pneumatically. The switch 50, instead of being controlled by feelers 43, 44, could be controlled by a selector device which responds only to a definite number of perforations in a column. A constructional of this is described. The machine may be combined with suitable typing or perforating apparatus. Specification 280,317, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.], also is referred to.